It's the most wonderful time of the yearrrr! That's the hype they spin during the holiday season. I try each year to put on a brave face. I smile, put up excessive amount of decorations all over my home, make arrangements to spend excessive amounts of money on things that really aren't necessities for my friends, family, and for myself. It puzzles me, there is a real problem with the idea of Christmas. Could it be the absence of Christ? As a child I was taught about the Nativity and the importance of this time of year being about giving, blessings, and the birth of the Messiah. I sang religious Christmas carols and even enjoyed the ones that told of old St. Nick. Now that I have children of my own, there is less and less mentioned about The Nativity and those classic Christmas carols. There are less movies shown that depict the birth of Christ, and less talk about the overall spirit of giving. The primary focus is on the consumerism and capitalism of it all. So much hype and spending above one's means. Ads pointing you to buy that bigger TV, more expensive car, or those designer clothes. To me, it puts entirely too much pressure on those in our society that are unable to keep up with that kind of spending. We need to focus on the more important things in life like love, family, fellowship, and community service.
In my family, we focus on the spirit of Christmas and what Jesus stood for. No matter your religion, I feel that in each of our daily lives there is an opportunity for us to help others. It doesn't always mean spending money or "paying it forward". It can be volunteering your time, donating items you no longer need, helping a friend or family member with household chores, cooking for a new mom, or even babysitting a friend's child or family members child. Consider donating your time in a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or battered women's facility. The list goes on. There is a saying: the best way to forget your own problems, is to help someone else with theirs. It's true! It feels good to know you've made a difference. It feels even better to know that you are being your best "you".
I love the holidays, I love gift giving and watching the joy on my children's faces when they open their presents on Christmas day. I'm even happier when I know that I have helped others.
What are your plans this holiday season?
In my family, we focus on the spirit of Christmas and what Jesus stood for. No matter your religion, I feel that in each of our daily lives there is an opportunity for us to help others. It doesn't always mean spending money or "paying it forward". It can be volunteering your time, donating items you no longer need, helping a friend or family member with household chores, cooking for a new mom, or even babysitting a friend's child or family members child. Consider donating your time in a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or battered women's facility. The list goes on. There is a saying: the best way to forget your own problems, is to help someone else with theirs. It's true! It feels good to know you've made a difference. It feels even better to know that you are being your best "you".
I love the holidays, I love gift giving and watching the joy on my children's faces when they open their presents on Christmas day. I'm even happier when I know that I have helped others.
What are your plans this holiday season?
